Trend on Trial: Purple eyes

Look here, Jason Wu, we loved the drama of your Fashion Week designs but when it comes to beauty it’s hard enough to perfect a nonchalant slightly slept-in black eyeliner look that resembles Kate Moss on a good day, without attempting the same thing in shades of violet. Colour is still a grey area (for want of a better phrase) for many of us. When balancing shades between shoes, hair and nails there is the potential to become a sensory rainbow of the very worst kind, if left unconsidered. However, in the name of Trend On Trial, we’re embracing purple eyes in their full, violet glory.

Samantha Flowers

Stylist’s Beauty Editor says: Purple was always my favourite colour. My student bedroom was decked out in amethyst hues and the purple Quality Street is my favourite. But now I think I’ve gone off it. This was one of my favourite looks of a/w 2013 but while purple appeared insanely beautiful washed across eyes at Jason Wu, I’m not sure about wearing it myself. Those sumptuous, rich tones don’t pop as much as I’d like them to – something to do with my sallow skin tone perhaps.

Anita Bhagwandas

Stylist’s Beauty and Features Writer says: I’ve got issues with purple. I never wear it. I am against it. When I was 13 I drank so much. Ribena one day I made myself sick, which made me want to banish anything vaguely violet from my sight. Trying this look was revealing in many ways; purple fused along the lash line à la Wu, smudged in around the eyes actually looks quite cool, I have to admit. So would I advocate purple liner for all skintones? Yes. Would I wear it again myself, without forcibly being made to? Probably not.

Evie Leatham

Stylist’s Beauty Director says: I admit that the merging of both blue and purple seems too young, too fun. The only way it works is to go bold and bright: I started with a pale lavender pencil but this resulted in tired-looking purple rims around my eyes. Once I’d switched to a royal purple and blended it with peacock blue along my lashes, I realised that this type of make-up is quirky in a way my wardrobe can’t handle, sadly.

Verdict: Purple shadow can be a conundrum. It’s a simple tweak to our existing subtle daily palette, but one that will cause a drastic change. Our advice? Dial down the boldness and add a smidge of purple liner to the lower lashline or the outer or inner corners of the eyes for a subtle nod to the trend. Too much purple is a serious look, but a quick hit is the perfect tribute.